EP1212234B1 - Indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an indicator, especially for motor bikes, comprising a lamp (2) which is located in a housing (1) and which can radiate out through a window opening (3) of said housing; and a mirror (4) which is situated opposite said window opening and which has a mirror curvature. The aim of the invention is provide a means of constructing an indicator of this type as compactly as possible. To this end, the inner surface of the housing also has a curvature for the mirror, corresponding to the mirror curvature.

Description

The invention relates to a direction indicator, in particular for motorcycles. Here, the direction indicator has a lamp which is arranged in a housing and can shine through a window opening of the housing to the outside. In this case, self-radiating light is thrown back into the housing through a mirror disposed opposite the window opening, in order to increase the overall luminosity of the direction indicator. The mirror in this case has a mirror curvature, which usually requires a focus. However, this is not absolutely necessary, the mirror curvature may for example also be flat.

Such direction indicators are known for example from DE 199 07 551 Al. This describes a direction indicator for motorcycles, with a light disposed in a housing, which can shine through a window opening of the housing to the outside, and with a window opening oppositely arranged mirror with a mirror curvature, which is arranged in a self-supporting within the housing, in front of a housing rear wall is. However, this arrangement is relatively large.

The US 5,617,303 describes a direction indicator for two-wheeler with a lamp arranged in a housing, which can shine through a window opening of the housing along a main opening direction to the outside and via a socket, with which an electrical connection between the lamp and power cables on the housing side is realized in is held in position, wherein the lamp is arranged perpendicular to the main opening direction. In this arrangement, however, a lamp replacement is relatively expensive.

Both FR 2 608 733 and DE 30 35 005 A1 disclose direction indicators, in particular for motorcycles, with a light arranged in a housing, which can shine through a window opening of the housing to the outside, which is closed by an optically active glass, and with a mirror disposed in the housing, the glass having at least two fresnell areas. However, these arrangements are, especially with regard to the fresnell areas, extremely complex and, especially for small sizes, especially when the mirror surface is small in relation to the lamp size, not suitable controllable.

In principle, motorcyclists in particular are interested in being able to use a motorcycle in its original, archaic form. Unfortunately, this form does not include turn signals or direction indicators.

For this reason, it is an object of the present invention to provide a traffic direction indicator described above, the smallest possible, and thus relatively inconspicuous builds.

As a first solution, the invention proposes a direction indicator with a luminaire arranged in a housing, which by a Window opening of the housing can illuminate to the outside, and with a window opening opposite arranged mirror with a mirror curvature before, in which the housing inner side at the level of the mirror has a curvature corresponding to the mirror curvature.

In this way, it is possible to dispense with additional components which accomplish a mirror curvature. Since such additional modules require space, builds a direction indicator according to the invention thus smaller. In addition, the inventive arrangement requires that the direction indicator is relatively inexpensive to produce, since costs for such additional modules can be avoided.

Preferably, the curvature of the inside of the housing at the level of the mirror of the mirror curvature is configured identically. In particular, the inside of the housing can form the mirror itself. In this case, the necessary mirror surface can be made by vapor deposition, polishing or similar treatments of the inside of the housing. On the other hand, however, a reflective film can be placed on the inside of the housing, applied or glued.

According to the invention, the mirror curvature is thus defined by the housing curvature at the level of the mirror, while the actual mirroring can be provided by all suitable measures, as listed above, for example.

If the housing is made very small, it is forced relatively close to the lamp. Especially when a relatively high temperature lamp is used, the housing is subject to a very high thermal stress. In order to ensure the most uniform possible heat distribution and thus a reduced temperature stress, the housing may be substantially elliptical, in particular ellipsoidal, except for a holder. In this case, the term elliptical designates the fact that the housing should have, at least in one sectional plane, two main axes of different lengths and continuous transitions of the first order. Continuous first-order transitions mean that the housing has flowing transitions, with the tangenzial planes adjacent to one another in the housing also differing in their angle of inclination. It is understood that this does not necessarily have to be implemented in its purest form, but also that approximations to an ellipsoidal shape, for example by circle segments. Polygonal or by aligned to frames splines, lead to the advantages of the invention.

In order to distribute the heat input into the housing as uniformly as possible in this way and the thermal stress, the housing can except for the holder outside an inner generatrix ellipsoid and within an outer generatrix ellipsoid be educated. In this case, the inner generatrix ellipsoid preferably has at least 1.02 times the major axes of the main axis of the luminaire and / or the outer generatrix ellipsoid less than 3.5 times the major axes of the main axes of the luminaire. In this way, the heat input can be distributed relatively uniformly on the housing, so that no too large thermal singularities occur.

Here, the term of the main axes of the lamp describes three mutually perpendicular axes, one of which represents an axis projecting into the lamp socket symmetry axis of the lamp or the lamp body. All major axes of the luminaire intersect the same at their respective largest diameters and are formed such that their intersection divides each of the major axes into two equal halves. That is, it is possible that one half of a major axis also protrudes beyond the lamp body itself. In particular, one of the main axes or, in the case of suitable symmetry, two main axes or all main axes can, of course, correspond to a diameter of the luminaire. Since only the lamp body is involved in the heat generation, this definition is to be understood without any support or electrical connections.

Also, at least one of the generatrix ellipsoids may have a ratio between the longest major axis and the shortest major axis between 2 and 4, preferably between 2.2 and 3.5. Also As a result, and possibly also regardless of the length ratios of the main axes of the corresponding generatrix ellipsoid to the respective main axis of the luminaire, thermal singularities can be avoided or minimized in their effects.

It is understood that a good temperature distribution depending on the specific requirements can already be achieved if the above-described size ratios are realized only in a section through the housing. In particular, it is not necessary that a glass or other translucent material which closes a window opening be adapted to these conditions.

If the housing has an extension as a holder, which changes into the housing at a turning line, that is to say at a line at which the change of adjacent tangents on the surface changes in its sign, then this causes the heat to change can be removed in a particularly suitable manner via the holder. In this way, in addition, an excessive increase in temperature can be counteracted.

The derivation of the heat energy introduced by the lamp into the housing can be further improved if the holder and the housing are formed in one piece.

Because of the high thermal capacity and the good thermal conductivity of the housing may be formed of a metal.

Likewise, ceramic materials, fiber composite materials, plastics and / or sintered materials may be used, in particular to meet the thermal requirements. In this case, depending on the specific embodiment, it is also possible to use materials with poor heat conduction properties if they can withstand the high thermal stresses, such as ceramic materials or sintered materials, as a result of which the temperature on the outside of the housing can advantageously be lowered. In particular, temperature-resistant thermoplastics are chosen as the plastic, the melting point is tuned to the prevailing in the direction indicator temperatures. The plastics can also be reinforced with graphite. By fiber composite materials, high temperatures, such as occur in a direction indicator according to the invention, can be successfully met in a structurally simple manner. It is understood that such a choice of material is also advantageous regardless of the other features of the direction indicator to build a direction indicator.

It is understood that the above-described measures for increasing the stability of the housing against thermal stress, in particular when the smallest possible housing is to be used, can also be advantageous independently of the other features of a direction indicator according to the invention. This applies in particular for the elliptical shape, the formation of the housing between two generatrix ellipsoids and the housing extension.

The holder may have a connection piece with which corresponding counterparts of different fasteners can be connected. In this way, a modular construction of the overall arrangement of housing and mounting can be provided, so that one and the same housing for a variety of applications, especially on a variety of motorcycles, is attached. Accordingly, an assembly of a direction indicator according to the invention and an attachment with a counterpart corresponding counterpart is advantageously modular view, since only the attachment needs to be replaced when the direction indicator is to be attached to another position or on another motorcycle or the like. Likewise, a kit of a direction indicator according to the invention and at least two fasteners each with the fitting of the direction indicator corresponding counterparts is advantageous. Such a kit allows attachment of the acquired hereby direction indicator on various motorcycles or the like, the excess fixtures may possibly be disposed of.

The window opening may comprise an opening channel, the socket surface of which expands monotonously from the inside. This allows a connector of the window opening widening glass, which can then be formed correspondingly complementary. By such a monotonous extension from the inside it can be ensured that edge regions of the glass are also directly illuminated. This results in the smallest possible glass size - and therefore the smallest possible size of the entire direction indicator - the highest possible light output.

As used herein, the term glass refers to any material that is suitable for covering a window opening with sufficient light transmission. The glass may in particular also be colored, for example colored yellow. It may also be provided with prisms or similar optical devices that enhance its suitability as a direction indicator glass.

In particular, the window opening may have a peripheral socket surface, which is aligned parallel to the window opening. This means, in particular in conjunction with a complementary holding surface of the glass, that the glass can be inserted into the window opening and is fixed in the retracted position via the window surface parallel to the holding surface or holding surface. Due to the parallelism with respect to the window opening results in a relatively large contact area between the housing and glass, along which the glass can be removed only by parallel displacement. In this respect, the glass is replaced by a stimulus compound by the relatively large area is relatively high accordingly, held in position.

Such an arrangement between the housing and glass allows an extremely large window opening, as in this window opening no constricting modules must protrude, which serve to attach the glass.

Alternatively or cumulatively, the glass may also be locked to the housing. This improves the stability of the connection between the glass and the housing. In particular, in conjunction with a parallel socket surface causes such locking only a very small reduction in the opening diameter and thus the effective light output. This is the case in particular because the socket surface oriented parallel to the window opening rests on the glass anyway and can therefore be readily provided together with the glass with corresponding means in order to provide such a latching connection.

Between the window opening and the glass, a sealing ring can be provided with a sealing effect directed perpendicular to the window opening. Such a sealing ring locks perpendicular to the window opening or an optical axis of the direction indicator against the ingress of liquid or gases in the direction indicator. This means a departure from previously known sealing measures, in which the seal is in each case parallel to the window opening. While in known seals of direction indicators, the sealing surface is directed perpendicular to the window opening and the glass is thus only placed on the corresponding sealing ring and then secured accordingly, in the sealing ring according to the invention, the sealing surface is parallel to the window opening or the optical axis of the direction indicator. Although this has the disadvantage that when opening or closing the window opening of the sealing ring along the socket surface or the complementary support surface must slide, resulting in a relatively high load on the sealing ring. However, since this happens only relatively rarely, this disadvantage can be accepted.

The advantage of such a sealing ring according to the invention is that the glass is held in its position by forces oriented perpendicular to the window opening and thus a maximum possible window opening or a maximum possible light output can be ensured. In addition, the sealing ring in such an arrangement fulfills a holding function, so that it is possible to dispense with further measures for holding the glass. On the one hand, this simplifies the design and, on the other hand, reduces costs accordingly.

Such a sealing ring, for example, in a groove which in a, preferably parallel to the window opening aligned, socket surface the housing and / or a complementary holding surface of the glass is provided, be arranged.

It is understood that the above-described socket surface, the above-described holding surface and the seal with the window opening vertically directed sealing effect taken alone, can be used advantageously regardless of the other features of the direction indicator when such a direction indicator are designed as small as possible with the largest possible light output should.

A light replacement of the lamp with minimal structural complexity can be ensured that the lamp is mounted in a socket that can be removed through the window opening through the housing. In particular, the socket can be connected perpendicular to the window opening and into the housing by a positive connection with the housing, so that the socket easily inserted into the housing or this can be removed. Here, the socket is secured in this form fit through the glass. Such a position fixing for the lamp is relatively simple in construction and can in the housing, since it can be provided only by parallel to the window opening assemblies provided by radially engaging from the outside into the window measures, such as molds or cutters, readily can be. It is understood that such storage of the lamp can also be taken advantage of in itself.

Accordingly, as a second solution, the present invention proposes a direction indicator having a lamp disposed in a housing capable of illuminating outwardly through a window opening of the housing along a main opening direction, and having an inner space whose wall has a cylindrical wall portion, the outer edge thereof through the window opening is determined and whose axis is parallel to the main opening direction, wherein the entire luminaire is disposed within a defined by the wall region, along the wall cylinder axis elongated cylinder.

In the present context, the term "cylinder" describes any spatial form with a base that is displaced along a straight line. Preferably, this straight line is perpendicular to the base. The edge is designed here as the circumferential edge between the cylindrical wall area and the outside of the housing.

Such an arrangement is extremely small and still makes it possible that as much of the light generated can be used as appropriate. In addition, the lamp can then be removed directly through the window opening, so that can be dispensed with additional, space-requiring facilities.

The arrangement is particularly suitable for Suffetten, which have no own version, but can also be used for lights with a light socket. In the latter arrangements, the lamp socket is preferably also arranged in the cylinder extended along the wall cylinder axis. It is also conceivable, a socket, with which the electrical connection between the lamp and the supply cables realized on the housing side and the lamp is held in a desired position, is disposed within this along the Wandungszylinderachse extended cylinder, so that these also readily removed through the window opening and the lamp can be replaced.

Preferably, the lamp is arranged perpendicular to the main opening direction. This has the advantage that with the same space a larger window opening is available, whereby the light output is further increased with respect to the installation space.

As a third solution, the invention proposes a direction indicator with a light arranged in a housing, which can shine through a window opening of the housing to the outside, which is closed by an optically active glass, wherein the glass has at least two fresnell areas. Here, a fresnel region is understood as meaning an optical region of a glass which, in interaction with another optical region, has an optical behavior that corresponds to the optical behavior of a single optical element Assembly with a larger wall thickness than the wall thickness of the glass corresponds.

Such fresnell areas are known in the field of lighting in particular under the concept of Fresnel lens. In the field of direction indicators, however, such luminaires allow for the first time a considerable reduction in size, since this makes it possible in a completely new way to emanate light emanating from a turn signal of a direction indicator directly, without any further optical aids.

This arrangement is particularly suitable for direction indicator in which the light of the lamp is reflected by a mirror emitted. Such an arrangement makes it possible to use the light emitted by the mirror, usually through the lamp, which has naturally been attenuated, merely as background light, while the directly emitted light is correspondingly directed through the fresnell areas. This means a departure from known turn signal forms in which a directed light beam was generated by a rear mirror and was scattered by a scattering glass accordingly. The fact that in this solution, the direct light is used in a directed manner, the luminous efficacy in terms of the directional light beam at the same size or the same electrical power is much higher than this is the case with known arrangements.

It is understood that in the present context the term "glass" includes any optically translucent medium which can terminate a housing.

Preferably, the fresnell areas are formed linear. On the one hand, this simplifies manufacture, since a corresponding shape is easier to provide or to calculate. In addition, by such an embodiment, the basic symmetry of the overall arrangement that a light source is disposed behind a glass, easily implemented in a corresponding manner. Accordingly, it is advantageous if the line-shaped fresnell areas are curved, wherein the curvature preferably takes place around a straight line running through a light source, such as an incandescent filament or a plasma arc, the luminaire, aligned parallel to a main opening direction of the window opening.

It is understood here that the curvature does not necessarily have to be circular. Depending on the requirements, a simple angle can be sufficient. Likewise, more complex webs, such as ellipses or the like, are conceivable in order to achieve a suitable radiation behavior.

At least one fresnel region may have at least one optically active surface which is formed perpendicular to the line. On the one hand, such an arrangement can be easily calculated and, on the other hand, requires a prismatic area which is slightly fanned out the rays of light, which is advantageous for a uniform illumination. Preferably, the fresnel region has two optically active surfaces, whereby on both surfaces the advantage of a prismatic cross section can be utilized.

If at least one fresnel region deflects light emanating directly from the luminaire both in a reflective and refractive manner in a main beam direction, the overall arrangement can relatively effectively use the light emanating from the light source. It is also cumulative or alternatively possible if at least a first fresnel region deflects light emanating directly from the luminaire in a main beam direction and the second fresnel region deflects light emanating directly from the luminaire in a main beam direction.

Preferably, the fresnell areas are aligned in their optical properties with respect to the light source, whereby it is immediately ensured that directly from the light source to the glass radiant light is deflected in the desired manner. In particular, the glass can be configured such that the light emanating from the light source, which falls directly on the glass, is emitted slightly fanned out at an angle of, for example, 15 ° to the main axis of the direction indicator. The three proposed solutions are therefore based on the common inventive idea, in a direction indicator, especially if this has only one emission direction to use a direct beam path of the light source primarily for the design of the radiated light to make this extremely small. As a result, the requirements for the specular and focusing properties of the mirror are lower, so that it can easily be formed integrally with the housing. Likewise, this basic idea requires that the window opening be adapted to the size of the luminaire so as to achieve an optimum luminous efficacy with the smallest possible housing size through the fresnell areas.

The thermal problem can also be met if at least one diode or a multiplicity of diodes are used as the luminaire. These have the advantage that they have extremely short switching times, so that the lighting duration during flashing can be chosen to be relatively short, without affecting the overall light output. This requires that the heating is relatively low. In addition, light-emitting diodes have the advantage that they produce their light with little warming, whereby the thermal load can be further reduced. Likewise, their long life and their stability against switching operations for a direction indicator is advantageous. Also advantageous is the relatively low energy consumption of LEDs with the same luminosity. In this respect, it is understood that the use of light-emitting diodes in particular in direction indicators of two-wheeled, in which anyway a As large a power-to-weight ratio value is set, is also independent of the other features of the turn signal is advantageous.

The temperature of the direction indicator can also be controlled by the fact that on the side facing away from the window opening of the housing cooling fins are provided. Preferably, the cooling fins follow in their outer shape of the shape of the housing, so that there is a shapely appearance. In addition, this reduces the risk of injury, since no protruding cooling fins remain. It is understood that the use of cooling fins is also independent of the other features of the direction indicator advantageous if it, for example, because it is very small, is operated at high temperatures.

Cumulatively or alternatively, the housing may have at least on its side facing away from the window opening a contact protection, so that a risk of injury is reduced by hot assemblies, for example by the hot housing or by hot cooling fins.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht mit durchscheinenden Höhenlinien eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrtrichtungsanzeigers,

Figur 2

den Fahrtrichtungsanzeiger nach Figur 1 im Horizontalschnitt,

Figur 3

den Fahrtrichtungsanzeiger nach Figuren 1 und 2 im Vertikalschnitt,

Figur 4

eine Explosionsdarstellung des Fahrtrichtungsanzeigers nach Figuren 1 bis 3,

Figur 5

die Darstellung ähnlich Figur 2. wobei auf Details verzichtet wurde,

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Fahrtrichtungsanzeigers

Figur 7

ein äußeres und ein inneres Erzeugendenellipsoid für eine erste Leuchtengröße,

Figur 8

ein äußeres und ein inneres Erzeugendenellipsoid für eine zweite Leuchtengröße,

Figur 9

beispielhaft die Verhältnisse zwischen Gehäuse und den Ellipsoiden nach Figuren 7 und 8,

Figur 10

ein Glas für einen Fahrtrichtungsanzeiger mit seinen fresnellschen Bereichen.

Figur 11

einen Fahrtrichtungsanzeiger mit Kühlrippen und

Figur 12

einen Fahrtrichtungsanzeiger mit einem Berührschutz.

Further advantages, objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the appended drawing, in which an inventive direction indicator is shown by way of example. In the drawing show:

FIG. 1

a perspective view with translucent contour lines of a direction indicator according to the invention,

FIG. 2

the direction indicator of Figure 1 in horizontal section,

FIG. 3

the direction indicator according to Figures 1 and 2 in vertical section,

FIG. 4

an exploded view of the direction indicator according to Figures 1 to 3,

FIG. 5

the representation similar to FIG. 2, whereby details have been omitted,

FIG. 6

a perspective view of the direction indicator

FIG. 7

an outer and an inner generatrix ellipsoid for a first luminaire size,

FIG. 8

an outer and an inner generatrix ellipsoid for a second luminaire size,

FIG. 9

by way of example the relationships between the housing and the ellipsoids according to FIGS. 7 and 8,

FIG. 10

a glass for a direction indicator with its fresnell areas.

FIG. 11

a direction indicator with cooling fins and

FIG. 12

a direction indicator with a touch guard.

In the direction indicator shown in the figures, a lamp 2 is arranged in a housing 1, which can shine through a window opening 3 to the outside, wherein the housing 1 encloses an inner space 1A. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the inner side of the housing is provided with a focusing curvature on the side of the housing opposite the window opening 3 and is designed as a mirror 4.

As can be seen immediately, the housing 1 is formed substantially elliptical or ellipsoidal except for a holder 5. Here, the holder 5 comprises a housing extension 6, which extends from a turning line 7 from the housing 1 pioneering. As immediately apparent, the housing 1 and the holder 5 and the housing extension 6 are integrally formed. In this respect, the housing extends into the housing extension 6 inside.

The holder 5 further comprises a connecting piece 8, which is ausegbildet as a cylindrical bore as a screw thread, not shown. As can be seen, this connector 8 is relatively long and ensures in this way a very good heat transfer from the housing 1 to a fixture that can be connected to this connector 8.

The window opening 3 is covered by a glass 9 made of heat-resistant plastic. This glass is fixed to the housing 1 by means of a peripheral peripheral surface 10 surrounding the window opening 3, which is aligned parallel to the window opening 3, and a complementary holding surface 11 of the glass 9. In the complementary support surface 11 in this case a circumferential groove is provided with a sealing ring 12.

The circumferential socket surface 10 forms a cylindrical wall region whose main axis is aligned parallel to the opening direction 20 of the window opening 3. If this cylinder is extended along the opening direction 20, so is both the lamp 2 and the lamp holder 19 and a socket 13 within this cylinder, so that the lamp can be easily removed or replaced. As is readily apparent, the lamp axis is arranged perpendicular to this main opening direction 20, whereby the light output increases.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the groove in the holding surface 11 is not formed symmetrically with respect to the holding surface 11. When inserting the glass 9, the glass can thus be initially slightly offset obliquely in the region of the holder 5 are used. Then it is locked at the opposite end. The consequent latching effect facilitates assembly of the glass 9, but does not cause a reduction of the window opening 3.

With regard to the optical axis of the direction indicator or with respect to the window opening 3, the sealing ring 12 acts radially outward. He thus serves the same time the holder of the glass 9 and also the seal.

The lamp 2 is secured by means of a socket 13 in the housing 1. For this purpose, the socket 13 extensions 14, which engage in corresponding recesses of the housing 1. If the glass 9 is inserted into the housing 1, it arrives at a peripheral shoulder 16, in which the recesses 15 are embedded in such a way that the extensions 14 are flush with the shoulder 16. In this way, the glass 9 secures the socket 13 in the housing 1.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, two generatrix ellipsoids 17, 18, an inner generatrix ellipsoid 17 and an outer generatrix ellipsoid 18, respectively, can be swept around the luminaire 2. Each of these generatrix ellipsoids 17, 18 has three main axes (denoted by 171 and 181 and 17d and 18d, respectively), wherein in the present exemplary embodiments the generatrix ellipsoids are rotationally symmetrical because of the symmetry of the luminaires, so that the two shorter principal axes 17d and 18d have an identical length.

These main axes 171 and 181 and 17d and 18d are selected according to the main axes 21 and 2d of the lamp 2, that is, corresponding to the length 21 and the diameter 2d of the lamp 2, in which case a Luminaire socket 19, which is or can be inserted into the socket 13 of the direction indicator remains unconsidered.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the lamp 2 has a length 21 of l = 23mm and a diameter 2d of d = 9mm. The inner generatrix ellipsoid 17 has a long major axis 171 of l = 28mm and a short major axis 17d of d = 12.5mm. In this respect, the long major axis 171 is approximately 1.2 times the length 21 of the luminaire 2, while the short major axis 17d is approximately 1.4 times the diameter 2d of the luminaire 2. On the other hand, the outer generatrix ellipsoid 18 has a long major axis 181 of l = 57.5mm and a short major axis 18d of d = 26mm. Accordingly, in the outer generatrix ellipsoid 18, the long major axis 181 is approximately 2.5 times the length 21 of the luminaire 2, while the short major axis 18d is approximately 2.9 times the diameter 2d of the luminaire 2 , The two ellipsoids 17, 18 each have a ratio v between the respective longest main axis 171, 181 and the respectively shortest main axis 17d, 18d of 2.24 and 2.21, respectively, so that the temperature distribution is as uniform as possible.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the lamp 2 has a length 21 of 1 = 18mm and a diameter 2d of d = 9mm. The inner generatrix ellipsoid 17 has a long major axis 171 of l = 24mm and a short major axis 17d of d = 11mm. In this respect, the long main axis 171 is about 1.3 times as large as the length 21 of Luminaire 2, while the short main axis 17d is about 1.2 times as large as the diameter 2d of the lamp 2. On the other hand, the outer generatrix ellipsoid 18 has a long major axis 181 of l = 54mm and a short major axis 18d of d = 24.5mm. Accordingly, in the outer generatrix ellipsoid 18, the long major axis 181 is 3 times the length 21 of the luminaire 2, while the short major axis 18d is approximately 2.7 times the diameter 2d of the luminaire 2. The two ellipsoids 17, 18 each have a ratio v between the respective longest main axis 171, 181 and the respectively shortest main axis 17d, 18d of 2.18 or 2.20, so that the temperature distribution is as even as possible in this embodiment ,

As shown by way of example in FIG. 9, the outer wall of the inner space 1A or the housing 1 is arranged except for the area of the holder 5 outside the inner generatrix ellipsoid 17 and within the outer generatrix ellipsoid 18.

The glass 9 shown in detail in FIG. 10 has prism-like regions 21 (numbered as an example), which are aligned as Fresnel regions on the luminous source of the luminaire 2. Each of these regions 21 has a prismatic cross-section which extends along a longitudinal line. This longitudinal line is curved in each case and aligned with respect to the light source. While the inner portions 21 act essentially refractive, the outer regions 21 substantially reflective, totally reflective, effective.

In the present embodiment, these regions 21 are formed in circular lines. This makes it possible to produce a molding to be used for the production of the glass 9 by means of turning, which is extremely accurate and inexpensive.

In order to protect the housing 1 and thus the entire direction indicator against excessive temperatures, in the embodiment according to FIG. 11, cooling ribs 22 (numbered as an example) are provided on the side of the housing 1 facing away from the window opening 3. As can be seen, the outer shape of the cooling ribs 22 follows the shape of the housing 1. This reduces the risk of injury on the one hand and achieves a shapely appearance on the other hand. The design also ensures that the longest cooling fins 22 are provided, especially in the thermally stressed central region of the housing 1, whereby the best cooling is also there and large temperature differences are encountered.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 12, the housing is surrounded in its region facing away from the window opening 3 by a grid-like contact protection 23, whereby contact with hot areas of the housing 1 can be avoided. It is understood that such contact protection 23 and the entire direction indicator in his thermally loaded area, as well as the front, can surround accordingly. It is understood that the contact protection can also be ensured by other measures, such as protruding punches or an insulating layer.

Claims (32)

1. A turn signal, more specifically for motorcycles, with a luminaire (2) that is disposed in a housing (1) and can shine outward through a window aperture (3) of the housing (1) and is secured by means of a holder (13) maintained inside the housing (1), and with a mirror (4) disposed opposite to the window aperture (3) having a mirror figure, characterized in that the inner side of the housing comprises a curve corresponding to the mirror figure and level with the mirror (4) so that the curve of the housing defines the mirror figure.
2. The turn signal according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner side of the housing (1) forms the mirror (4).
3. The turn signal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (1) is substantially configured elliptical, more specifically ellipsoidal, except for a mounting.
4. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing (1) encloses an inner volume (1A) and that the outer wall of this inner volume (1A) is configured outside of an inner ellipsoid of revolution (17) except for the region of a mounting (5), the inner ellipsoid of revolution (17) comprising main axes (171, 17d) at least 1,02 times as big as main axes (21, 2d) of the luminaire (2).
5. The turn signal according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing (1) is configured outside of the inner ellipsoid of revolution (17) except for the region of a mounting (5).
6. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (1) is configured inside the outer ellipsoid of revolution (18) except for a mounting region (5), the outer ellipsoid of revolution (18) comprising main axes (181, 18d) less than 3,5 times as big as the main axes (21, 2d) of the luminaire (2).
7. The turn signal according to one of the claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the longest main axis (1) and the shortest main axis (d) of at least one of the ellipsoids of revolution have a relation between 2 and 4, preferably between 2,1 and 3,5.
8. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized by an extension (6) to the housing as a mounting (5) that merges into the housing (1) at an inflection line (7).
9. The turn signal according to one of the claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the mounting (5) and the housing (1) are configured in one piece.
10. The turn signal according to one of the claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the mounting (5) comprises a connection piece (8) with which corresponding counterparts of different securing members are connectable.
11. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the housing (1) is metallic, ceramic or made of composite fibre materials, plastic materials and/or a sintered material.
12. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the window aperture (3) includes an aperture channel the holder surface (10) of which expands monotonously from inside out.
13. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the window aperture (3) includes a circumferential holder surface (10) that is oriented parallel to the window aperture (3).
14. The turn signal according to one of the claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the window aperture (3) is covered by a glass (9) having a support surface (11) complementary to the holder surface (10).
15. The turn signal according one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the window aperture (3) is covered by a glass (9) that is locked with the housing (1).
16. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 15, characterized by a sealing ring (12) between the window aperture (3) and a glass (9) covering the window aperture (3) having a sealing action oriented perpendicular to the window aperture (3).
17. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the luminaire (2) is borne in a holder (13) that is removable from the housing (1) through the window aperture (3).
18. The turn signal according to claim 17, characterized in that the holder (13) is connected within the housing (1) to said housing via a positive lock, in such a manner that it is perpendicular to the window aperture (3) and is secured in this positive lock by the glass (9).
19. A turn signal, more specifically for motorcycles, with a luminaire (2) that is disposed in a housing (1) and can shine outward through a window aperture (3) of the housing (1) along a main aperture direction and is maintained in its position via a holder (13) through which an electrical connection between the luminaire (2) and lead wires is made possible on the side of the housing, and with an inner volume (1A) the walls of which comprise a cylindrical wall region (holder surface 10), its outer edge being determined by the window aperture (3) and its axis lying parallel to the main aperture direction, the luminaire (2) being disposed perpendicular to the main aperture direction (20), characterized in that the entire luminaire (2) including the holder (13) is disposed inside a cylinder defined by the wall region (10) and extending along the cylinder axis of the wall.
20. The turn signal according to claim 19, characterized in that the luminaire (2) includes a lamp holder ( 19) that is also disposed in the cylinder extending along the cylinder axis of the wall.
21. A turn signal, more specifically for motorcycles, with a luminaire (2) that is disposed in a housing (1) and can shine outward through a window aperture (3) of the housing (1) that is closed by an optically active glass (9) and with a mirror disposed in the housing (1), the glass (9) comprising at least two Fresnel regions, characterized in that light reflected by the mirror is used as a background light and passes the Fresnel regions without being directed.
22. The turn signal according to claim 21, characterized in that the Fresnel regions (21) are configured as a line.
23. The turn signal according to claim 22, characterized in that the Fresnel regions (21) configured as a line are configured to be curved.
24. The turn signal according to claim 23, characterized in that the curve is configured around a straight line running through a light source of the luminaire (2) and directed parallel to a main aperture direction (20) of the window aperture (3).
25. The turn signal according to one of the claims 22 to 24, characterized in that at least one Fresnel region (21) comprises at least one optically active surface, preferably two optically active surfaces, that is respectively are configured level and perpendicular to the line.
26. The turn signal according to one of the claims 21 to 25, characterized in that at least one Fresnel region (21) diffracts light issuing directly from the luminaire (2) as well in a reflecting as in a refracting manner in a main beam direction.
27. The turn signal according to one of the claims 21 to 26, characterized in that at least a first Fresnel region (21) diffracts the light issuing directly from the luminaire (2) in a reflecting manner in a main beam direction and the second Fresnel region (21) diffracts the light issuing directly from the luminaire (2) in a refracting manner in a main beam direction.
28. The turn signal according to one of the claims 21 to 27, characterized in that the Fresnel region (21) are oriented with their optical regions relative to the light source.
29. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the luminaire includes at least one diode.
30. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 29, characterized in that cooling ribs (22) are provided on the side of the housing (1) distal from the window aperture (3).
31. The turn signal according to claim 30, characterized in that the outer shape of the cooling ribs (22) follows the shape of the housing (1).
32. The turn signal according to one of the claims 1 to 31, characterized in that the housing (1) comprises a protection (23) against contact at least on its side distal from the window aperture (3)

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